Myshuno # 5
Title: Two
Prompt: Good Jackson (by Penguingirl)
Word Count: 14670
Notes: Part Two
Day Two
After breakfast, Jeff went off for a walk. He said he needed some meditation time. Katherine planned to stay around the house and just enjoy doing as little as possible. Jackson, as he promised, drove Tristan to the small hardware store near the lake and bought everything they needed to make a birdhouse. Pre-cut of course, but still it was something he and Tristan could do together. Once they were back at the cabin, Jackson laid out everything, explained to what each piece was and how it fit together. Tristan watched everything with the serious air of a child determined to master a new skill on the first try. Jackson smiled, and then guided the young boy in the work. He hammered the first few nails himself, and then turned to his son.
"Tristan are you ready now?"
"Really, Mr. Jackson? I can do it?"
"I think so, if you feel you're ready."
"I'm ready!"
"Okay," he handed off the hammer, and set the nail in place. "Now, hold the nail, and I'll hold the wood."
He nodded and took the nail with his small supple fingers.
"That's right, now, get a good grip on the hammer. Slide your hand up a little make sure you can make it hit the nail and not your hand. That's it. Now hammer the nail once, and be ready to move your fingers before they get smushed."
"Got it Mr. Jackson."
Tristan brought the hammer down toward the nail, but it slipped and banged Jackson on the thumb. The intense pain doubled him over and expletives flew from his mouth before he could bite them back. He jammed his thumb into his mouth to suck away the pain and noticed that Tristan had dropped the hammer and stood frozen wathching him.
"Damn," he said around his thumb, then pulled it out and bent down in front of the terrified child. "Tristan, listen to me. You didn't do anything wrong. I'm not mad at you?"
"You're not?" it was obvious he didn't quite believe what he was hearing.
"I'm not. It just hurt a lot, and I said a lot of things I shouldn't have. I scared you, and I'm sorry about that. Forgive me?"
"Huh?"
"Forgive me?"
"I, you want *me* to forgive *you*?"
"Please, I think it would make us both feel a lot better."
"Okay. I, forgive you."
"Think we could have a hug now?"
Tristan's face lit up and he threw his arms around Jackson clinging to him tightly. Jackson embraced his son, and didn't even bother holding back the tears. After a few minutes though he whispered into the boy's ear. "You're really strong. Want to go with me and get some lemonade before we finish?"
"Sure! Mom makes some really good lemonade!"
"I know she does! Wanna race?"
Tristan didn't even answer he just sped off toward the cabin. "Can't catch me, Dad!"
Jackson grinned and then ran to catch up.
Back at the cabin, Jackson sipped at some lemonade, and iced his thumb. Katherine listened as Tristan gushed about the day so far.
"And, Mom, Dad asked me to forgive him. It was weird, but oh, Dad, I am sorry I missed."
"It's all right, son."
"But yeah, we came up here to get some lemonade, and we raced, and I beat him."
"You get faster everyday, Tristan," Katherine assured him as she smiled between the two of them.
"And I'm going to paint it blue after we're done. It'll be the best birdhouse ever!"
"Of course it will. Tristan if you're done with your lemonade, put your glass in the kitchen sink."
"Yes, ma'am!" and he rushed into the house.
Katherine watched him until he disappeared and then turned to Jackson. "Dad now, huh?"
"I suppose so. If you don't think it's appropriate, we can talk to him about it."
"Why would it be inappropriate? You're being the dad he needs and wants. It makes sense to me."
"Well, as long as you're all right with it. Thanks for the ice."
"Not a problem. Are you going to be able to finish?"
"Yeah, he didn't break anything. We should be able to get it done before lunch. Is Jeff back from his walk?"
"Not yet. I wouldn't expect him before lunch, unless something unusual happens."
"Did you want to join us?"
"Not this time. I thought I might borrow a page or two from Tristan's sketch book and make some memories."
"I'm sure he won't mind."
"Who won't mind?" Tristan asked as he came back out on the porch the door slamming behind him.
"You won't mind letting your mother borrow your sketchbook to make some drawings, would you?"
"Oh no, that's fine! Just sharpen the charcoals when you're done! Are you ready, Dad?"
"Whenever you are, Tristan." He turned to Katherine and held out his glass. "Do you mind, dear?"
"Uh, no, no, I don't mind at all. You two, have fun." She took the glass and watched them head back to work.
It was almost noon when Tristan put the finishing touches of the first coat of paint on the finished birdhouse. He glanced up at Jackson his eyes hopeful.
"Not bad at all. You're very good with paint."
"Better than with hammers."
"You're learning. I'm sure if you practice, you'll get the hang of it."
"Maybe Uncle Zane will help me. Do you think he'd let me put a work bench in my studio? Or would that be asking too much?"
Jackson felt his stomach clench. Tristan's idea made perfect sense, and he had no doubt that Zane would go along with it. The very idea, though, that he should have to go to his uncle to have a studio, or a work bench ate at him.
"Is it, Dad? Is it too much?"
"I'm sure Zane would say it isn't, but maybe you should ask Aunt Cassie first?"
"Okay. Dad, I'm hungry is it lunch time yet?"
Jackson smiled, and tried to push away everything but the present out of his mind. Toussling Tristan's hair, he looked into his son's eyes, "I'd say by the time we put everything away, and you wash your hands, thouroughly, lunch should be ready."
"Okay! Where are we going to put all this stuff?"
"Well for now let's put it in the storage shed. We'll figure out a better place before we leave."
Tristan bobbed his head and then started collecting everything and they headed back up to the cabin.
By the time they were done, Jeff had made it back as well, and after a light lunch, Tristan went out to sketch while the grown-ups talked. Once they were comfortable, Jackson started things off.
"How did things go on your walk, Jeff."
"Well, I feel better, more in tune. I got a strong sense that we should search the cabin. Not what we should search for, just that we should search it. In fact, 'Seek and find' wouldn't let go of me for the last hour or so."
"Well, I'm up for that. Katherine?"
"I'm game, although if we don't know what it is, how will we know when we've found it."
"No clue, sis," Jeff answered, "I guess we'll just have to have faith that he'll let us know when we need to know."
She nodded. "Then why don't we get started, gentleman?"
They all got up, and starting with the family room began looking, searching for something that might explain why they were there. It felt like searching for a needle in a haystack, except you didn't know for sure that it was needle.
Jackson went to the bookshelf, pulling out the books one at a time, searching through them. Idly he wondered if his alternate had bought the books with the house, or just paid someone to bring a bunch of books and put them on the shelves. The subject matter was quite diverse, but there didn't seem to be any first or leather bound editions, so he had a feeling the books came with the house. He found himself shaking them to see if any papers flew out, nothing.
After the family room, they moved to the kitchen, and then both the bedrooms, finally they searched both bathrooms. They'd found some old jewelry, comic books that might be worth something had they been in good condition, and a bundle of old lottery tickets, but nothing that helped them. Tristan had come in and was now watching a movie in the family room.
The three adults rested in the hallway trying to figure out what to do. They were pretty quiet. Katherine had slid her hand into Jackson's at some point. He was trying to focus on the problem, but the feel and smell of her skin was distracting him. He was a little surprised that the other two couldn't hear his heart pounding.
"Wait, Jeff, what was that verse you kept thinking of earlier?"
"Seek and find,"
"Knock and it will open!"
"Huh?"
Jackson didn't take time to explain, he stood up and moved quickly to the storage shed. The others followed on his heels.
"I didn't really stop to think about it earlier, but when Tristan and I put away the tools before lunch, I noticed that the inside of the shed was noticably smaller than the outside. I just chalked it up to insulation or something similar, but what if it's not?" Once inside the shed he began to knock on the inside walls.
"Jax, it's not like this is some gothic haunted house."
"I know, Jeff, but it's right, I can feel it."
Katherine didn't say a word, she just went to another wall and began to knock. Jeff chuckled before he joined in on a third.
Jackson was just about to give up and apologize for wasting their time, when he heard the hollow echo he was listening for. Feeling the boards carefully with his fingers, he discovered the small almost hidden lever. Pushing on it, the wall popped open, and inside he found what looked like a contract. He pulled it out, and dusted it off.
"I think I found it."
Jeff and Katherine turned around and moved to see what it was. Jackson started looking it over as well. The words hit, target, alibi, and payment seemed to jump off the page. Had Jackson contracted a professional killer? He sat down and read it more carefully.
"Damn."
"What?"
"Jeff, this is for you."
"What do you mean."
"I mean HE hired someone to kill you."
"No. You must be reading it wrong."
"I wish I was," he handed the contract over to Jeff.
He watched his brother read, and felt Katherine slip beside him and slide an arm around his waist. He wrapped his arm around hers instinctively. He saw the blood drain from Jeff's face and wished that somehow he could rewrite this scene.
"Today's the 15th, right?" Jeff asked.
Katherine nodded.
"The hit is scheduled for tomorrrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yeah, and there are explicit instructions to kill as many people around as possible to make it look like a mass shooting."
Jackson pulled Katherine closer.
"Alright then, I'll leave tonight. If they find me it's going to be someplace without witnesses.'
"Bullshit."
"Jax?"
"Jeff, you are not going to leave here. You're my brother, I'm not going to just stand by and let someone kill you. They've probably been watching you for months, so they should know that you're here. Our advantage lies in the fact that we know they're out there, and what they're planning. We can make our own ambush now."
"What about Tristan?"
"Katherine,"
"No, I can't leave you! I won't!"
Jackson hesitated, he didn't want to force the issue, but he had to keep his son safe. Then he had an idea.
"All right, Katherine, this is what we're going to do. I'm going to take Tristan up to the Arrowhead cabin. It won't take more than half an hour. He'll be safe there, I'll make sure no one sees him. We'll leave a mobile with him. If he doesn't hear from us by 8 pm tomorrow night, he's to call 911."
She nodded. "I'll go get him ready."
He nodded and let her go. Then he turned to Jeff.
"We don't have a lot of time, you need to call Zane and tell him to come up tonight if at all possible. I assume the rifles and shotguns are still at the cabin?"
"They were last time I checked, yeah."
"Good, I'll collect them when I drop off Tristan. I want you and Katherine to find good defensive positions and map out a plan. Did the contract specify a time for the hit?" Jackson figured that his alternate would make damn certain of an ironclad alibi.
Jackson studied the paper again. "Fifteen hundred, three pm."
"Good, that gives us plenty of time to work this out. Jeff, this is why I'm here. This is why we were sent to the cabin, to turn this around. If I have my say, Dad isn't going to come collect any of us for a very long time."
Jeff nodded and then grabbed Jackson in a tight embrace. "I always wondered what it would be like to have an older brother that actually gave a damn."
"You might change your mind later, I can be pretty bossy at times."
"Ahh so there is something you have in common with him."
"Oh shut up. Let's get busy."
"I'll call Zane as soon as you leave."
Jackson nodded, held out his hand for the contract. "We have to leave this with Tristan. If things do go wrong, he'll need evidence."
Jeff nodded and handed it over. "Let's pray it doesn't come to that."
"Amen."
The two of them headed back inside. Tristan was standing there with his suitcase in hand pale as lab rat. Jackson bent down in front of him.
"Tristan, I know you're scared, but your mother and I are going to do everything we can to protect you. And no matter what happens your grandfather will make sure you're safe." Jackson wasn't sure where that surity had come from, just that he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that his own father would see to it that Tristan would be alive on Monday.
Tristan nodded and squeezed his father in a hug that strongly resembled a death grip. Jackson squeezed him tightly too, and then whispered. "Say goodbye to your mother."
Tristan ran to Katherine's side and they clung to each other for a few minutes before Katherine kissed his forehead. "Be a good boy. Mommy loves you very much."
"I know, Mommy. I love you too. You'll be so proud of me; I'll be so brave."
"I know you will, and Mommy is always proud of you." There was another tight hug, and then Katherine let go and straightened his hair. "Go with Daddy now. Be brave."
He nodded, and then turned to his father savagely wiping the tears from his cheeks. Jackson offered him his hand. Together they made their way to the mini-van. Once inside, Jackson turned to his son. "You asked me yesterday if I could teach you how to become invisible."
"Yes, and you said I was too young."
"Normally, you would be. But in order to keep you safe, I'm going to show you how. But you have to promise me that you won't use it to hide from your mother. You won't use it to get out of class, or to prank people. You'll only use it if you're in serious trouble. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Dad. I promise."
"Okay."
So as they drove, Jackson carefully began to explain what he needed to do. It wasn't an easy ability to use, and even harder to explain to a ten-year-old. He had to stop and explain certain steps several times before Tristan grasped the concept. However, by the time they reached the family cabin Jackson felt that the boy was ready to try.
They both went into the cottage and set Tristan up in his normal bedroom.
"Now you need to keep the main lights off, but you can use your flashlight. Don't eat all the food tonight, remember you'll need to eat tomorrow too."
"You'll come get me when it's over?"
"If I can, yes, but you know what to do if I can't right?"
"Call 911 and tell them what happened."
"Make sure they know you're alone, and that it's not a prank."
"Okay. Can I call grandma after that?"
"That's a good idea. Now why don't you see if you can make yourself invisible?"
He nodded and closed his eyes as he concentrated. His hands slowly faded from view.
"Yes, that's right. Keep going."
He squeezed his eyes tighter and his arms disappeared next. His torso and head followed soon after, and eventually Jackson couldn't see anything of his son. "Very good. Now I'm going to do something that might seem scarry or strange to you, but it's nothing to be scared of. The bad guys might have seen us leaving, and I don't want them knowing that you're hiding here. So I'm going to make an image of you. It's not real, but it will look and act real to anyone not close enough to touch it."
"Neat!"
His son's voice coming from seemingly nowhere caused a shiver to go up his spine. It was his turn to focus now though. He concentrated on his Tristan replica. He painstakingly shaped the image in his mind. If he messed this up, all this might be for nothing. When he was ready he projected the image into the space beside him.
"Wow, Dad, that is awesome!"
"I'm glad you like it, but no, I'm not going to teach you that one right now. You're going to have enough to do with staying invisible, and staying out of trouble."
"I'll be good, Dad."
"I know you will."
"Dad?"
"Yes, Tristan?"
"HE's going to go to jail for this isn't he?"
"I hope so, Tristan."
"If he does, maybe you could stay with us."
"I don't think it works that way, Tristan. Besides, I have another Tristan back home, that would miss me a great deal if I didn't come back."
"Oh, well bring him too, I wouldn't mind a twin!"
"Don't you think it would be a bit complicated if there were two of you Mom, and Grandma, and Great-Aunt Miny, and all the rest?"
"Maybe."
"And if I stayed, they might decide to throw me in prison instead of HIM, that wouldn't be good would it?"
"No, that would be awful! I'm just going to miss you."
"I'm going to miss you too. I'll think about you every day."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"You better get back." He said reluctantly.
"Give me a hug? I'd give you one, but I'd probably just grab air."
He laughed at that and Jackson felt invisible arms grip around his stomach and he brought him closer and hugged him tightly.
"Make me proud little man."
"I will, Dad."
"I know."
Jackson pulled away from the cabin, his image of Tristan safely buckled in the car, and camoflaged weapons and ammo carefully stowed. He drove back trying to think about plans for tomorrow, not the doubts that were plaguing him about leaving his son alone.
"Just keep him safe, father. He's in your hands now."
He arrived at the house and brought his image of Tristan in with him. Katherine jumped up when she saw them enter the front door, crossed to them and tried to embrace the image. She gasped when her arms passed right through him. He grabbed her hands to try to calm her.
"It was just a projection, Kath. He's safe and sound at the cabin like we discussed. I just didn't want anyone watching us to know he was gone. I'm hoping they can't see or hear inside the house, but I have to be prepared in case they can."
"Well, there aren't any cameras or bugging devices that I could detect." Jeff offered from the couch.
"Dad taught you that trick as well?"
"It's a pretty useful one."
"What trick?"
"He taught us how to detect electronic devices. Like Jeff said, it's useful. But I can't take the chance that they're watching us through the windows with binoculars, or something similar. Jeff, were you able to get ahold of Zane?"
"Yeah. He thinks we're crazy not to call 911 right away, but he also is on his way now. Cassie's with him."
"I thought she might be, so I brought a rifle for her too. When will they be here?"
"About 3 am."
"Sounds good. Have the two of you eaten?"
Katherine shook her head, "No, we were waiting for you."
"It's my turn to cook isn't it?"
"See, Katherine, I told you he'd remember." Jeff quipped.
"I'm still getting over the idea that he can cook at all."
"I never said I was any good, just that I was willing to do my share. My share happens to be frozen pizza and salad. I'll get it started and you two can catch me up on what you've come up with so far."
Dinner was spent discussing their plans, and ironing out details. They made sure to look as if they were interacting with "Tristan" occassionally, and tucked him into bed shortly after dinner. Jackson dismissed the image after they turned out the lights.
Katherine turned to Jackson as they left the room, "Why don't you go help Jeff with the dishes? I need a little time to myself."
Jackson nodded and kissed her forehead before he went out into the kitchen. There wasn't much said as the brothers cleaned up. They both seemed lost in their own thoughts.
"That's the last of it," Jeff said as he put the broom and dust pan away. "I think I'll sit down with my scriptures for a while."
Jackson just nodded and hung the damp dish towel on the rack to dry. They knew what they were going to do tomorrow. Overthinking it, would be more harm than help. Right now the hot tub seemed like a very good idea.
He went to the bedroom, and saw that Katherine wasn't there. He opened the door to the balcony. It wasn't a very high balcony. There was probably three feet clearance from the bottom of the floor to the ground. It was more like a large raised porch, with chairs, a built in grill, and hot tub. Katherine was sitting in the tub already.
"We must have had the same idea. I'll let you be."
"No, I was hoping you might come out here. Join me?"
"Let me change." He moved back inside and changed into the swim trunks they'd packed. They were a bit more form fitting than he'd anticipated, but he didn't have any other options. He made his way back outside.
She smiled as he climbed into the water next to her, but it was followed by a long sigh.
"Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"
"Promise me we'll see Tristan tomorrow night?"
"I promise I'll do everything I can to see that happens."
She nodded and leaned against him. "He's so young. I hate to think about him up there alone."
"He'll be all right. He's probably almost as safe there as if he were in Takemizu with Mom."
"I'm just scared."
"So am I. We just have to trust that we're in the Father's hands no matter what happens."
"Yeah. Hold me?"
He took her in his arms and rocked her gently. Trying not to think of the last time they'd been in a hot tub. She leaned further into his embrace and rubbed his arms. He felt her relax against him, and breathing deeply. He gently pressed a kiss on the top of her head.
She shifted then turning to face him. Jackson grimmaced, afraid he'd gone too far, when she leaned in and kissed him. It wasn't a tender, thank you kiss like they had been giving off and on throughout the day. It was a hard, firm, I want you kiss, and he couldn't help but return it in kind.
He pulled back and looked deep into her eyes. "Are we going there?"
"Please? I've waited forever."
He nodded and then kissed her again holding nothing back.
A couple hours later, wearing a robe, he slipped out of the bedroom into the family room. He saw Jeff sitting on the couch by the fire. He hadn't expected it, but he was very glad to see him.
"Jeff, could we talk?"
Jeff looked up, put down his scriptures and motioned for Jackson to take a seat. Once he was on the couch he buried his head in his hands.
"Jeff, did I mess up? Did I just do the one thing I swore I would never do? At the time, I didn't have any doubts. I was making love to my wife. Now, I don't know. I still see her as my wife, I'm not feeling any conviction that we did anything wrong, but it's I'm drowning in a tidal wave of guilt. I can't get a handle on it."
"Jax, it's not like there's a precedent I can point to, as to whether this is right or wrong. But you say you aren't feeling conviction, just guilt?"
"Yeah. Am I just rationalizing this? I'm so confused."
"Possibly, but guilt, condemnation, confusion are the enemies tools, not the Father's. If there were conviction, what would you do?"
"Repent. Stay as far away from Katherine from now on as I can. Do whatever I could not to repeat this."
"All right, then let's pray. Let's ask the Father to reveal to you if this is a sin or not. Ask his forgiveness, and ask for his peace. He promised if we ask for these things he'll give them freely. Let's ask."
"Lead me, Jeff, I don't know where I am."
Jeff reached over and squeezed his brother's hand.
"Father, creator of the omniverse, and all that is within it, we come to you tonight in humble supplication. My brother is feeling lost in the dark, unsure of himself. He begs that you reveal to him any sin that he might have committed. He seeks your forgiveness for anything he has done against you. He seeks your peace and grace. Father, banish the confusion and doubt that besets him. Grant him mercy, love, and clarity in all things. In the Son's name, Amen."
"Amen."
Jackson was just about to look up when a wave of serenity hit him. He took a deep breath, and then heard a voice.
Jackson, there is no sin in loving your wife. The time comes when you will be torn assunder, but trust in me, for at the right time nothing will be divided.
Jackson looked at his brother who nodded.
"I've never, Dad said we'd know when it happened, but I never expected."
Jeff nodded again. "I guess you have your answer."
"Yeah."
"That last part I didn't quite follow. I do hope he was being symbolic and not literal."
"So do I, but that's why we have to trust him, I guess. Are you going to stay here any longer? You probably should get some sleep, before Zane shows up."
"I'll be going shortly. But what about you?"
"I'm going back to bed with my wife."
It was shortly after three when the sound of a car approaching woke him. He gently shook Katherine, got out of bed and pulled his pajama's on.
"There's a rifle beside the nightstand, stay in here and watch the balcony until I call you."
She nodded as she was pulling on a gown. Jackson leaned over and kissed her cheek, picked up his own rifle, then walked out into the living room.
Jeff was sitting under the window with the shotgun at hand. Jackson moved to another window watching away from the driveway, in case someone tried to sneak up on them.
"It sounds like Zane's car." Jeff whispered.
"It does?"
"Not his old car, the new sedan he and Cassie got."
"Oh that's right, it took a while because they were looking for a black car with blue interior."
"Right."
"Tell me if anything looks suspicious when he gets out."
Jackson heard the car pull up and two doors open and close. Jeff looked at him.
"It's just the two of them, but they're standing at the car."
"That's strange. Let's get Katherine in here, and she can cover us while we step out on the porch."
Jeff nodded. Jackson called Katherine in, explained what was going on, and then stepped out on the porch with Jeff.
"Hello, Zane. It's good to see you."
"Jackson, give me one good reason why I should trust you."
"What? Zane I told you he can be trusted. I explained it all to you on the phone!" Jeff almost exploded.
"And who's to say that this isn't an elaborate ruse he cooked up to get rid of us? Jackson has always been a consimate liar. I want him to explain to ME why I should trust anything he has to say."
"No, Jeff, it's okay. Zane has the least reason to trust me of anyone, except maybe Katherine. Zane, I don't have a concrete reason to give you. All I have are words, and the hope that you'll give me the chance to prove them. But I would give up my life a thousand times and more for my family, and Zane, you're part of that family. You always have been."
Jackson waited while Zane thought about what was said. He watched as his brother's face muscles didn't so much twitch as undulate back and forth until finally he moved toward the porch.
Jeff tried to step between Jackson and Zane, but Jackson waved him off. This was something that had to be settled.
"I pray to God I'm right. But if I am wrong, living or dead, brother, I will make you regret it for the rest of your miserable existance," he held out his hand.
Jackson took it in a firm grip. "I wouldn't expect any less, brother."
Cassandra and Jeff let out twin sighs of relief.
"Can we get back inside?" Jeff asked. "I'm feeling more than a little exposed out here."
Jackson was about to nod, when Zane jumped in, "If you don't want to feel exposed, wear more than boxers and an undershirt to bed."
Jeff snorted and the four of them went inside to join Katherine.
Once inside Jeff started explaining the strategy to Cassie and Zane.
"In the morning, once everyone's had a chance to get a little sleep, we're going to barricade the hall, and the balcony door. We simply don't have the manpower to cover the bedrooms and the bathrooms. Then Katherine is going to man the kitchen windows. Jackson has the east facing windows, and I've got the ones facing the front of the house."
"What do you want Cassie and I to do?"
"I've got you both down for ammo, food, and first-aid duty."
Cassie nodded, but Zane looked thoughtful.
"I think, perhaps I can help in another way."
"Zane, you don't like guns."
"I didn't say I was going to shoot. But Dad taught me something that I think might be useful."
"Yeah?"
Zane nodded, and looked a little sheepish. Jackson gave what he hoped was an encouraging smile.
"He taught me how to read auras and life forces about eight months ago."
"Wait," Jackson blurted, "He hasn't taught me that, but he did tell me a bit about it. And you can use it as a sort of lie detector can't you? What was all that out there then?"
The sheepish look faded and Zane stood his ground. "If Dad told you that, he probably told you that it's not perfect."
"Well, yeah, if a person is very good at lying, or if he believes the lie."
"Jax, Jackson *is* the consomate liar."
"He hasn't perfected it though, I can still see the signs of his lying if I wait long enough," Zane added.
"Which is why you had me talk? You wanted to wait and see if the signs came through. You still weren't completely convinced though, but enough to risk trusting me."
"I never got a sign that you were lying. So I had to compare what I knew about Jackson to what you and Jeff were telling me. You got your chance because the story didn't feel like something Jackson would come up with."
"No?"
"Nah, Jackson is a lot more subtle. He prefers to keep his lies simple. If he wanted to get us all up here just to stab us in the back, he could just claim to have realized the error of his ways. An echo from an alternate universe, a false death contract, that's just way too elaborate. Too many things to go wrong."
"So you figured anything this crazy just might be true?"
"Something like that. But I brought all this up, because I figured that I could act sort of like a scope. Even though they're acting in the daylight, they'll probably try to sneak up on us. I should be able to spot them even while they're hiding though, and that will give us a decided advantage."
"Sounds good to me. What do you think, Jeff?"
"It's a great idea. He'll still want to move around from time to time, to check out different views. And he can still help Cass out if she needs it."
"That's it then," Zane added. "Now if it's all right, Cass and I haven't had much sleep."
Jackson nodded and handed him the rifle he was carrying. "Go straight down the hall, it's a king size bed."
Once Zane and Cass were out of the room, Jeff sat down on the floor between the couches.
"Why does Dad teach you and Zane all the good stuff?"
"Jealous, Jeff?"
"A little envious, yeah."
"Surely he's taught you something more than the electronics search."
"Yeah, and he says he'll teach me more after I'm done with seminary. You guys got the cool stuff though."
"What did he teach you?"
"The Kiss."
Jackson paled. The kiss Jeff was talking about was a last resort during a reap. When a soul refused to leave the body, the reaper performed the kiss and the soul would automatically separate, and then the escort could begin. It wasn't something most reapers relished. The fact that their Dad thought Jeff might need to know this hinted at something as well.
"He really does see you as his successor, doesn't he."
"Well, it's not like he's going to retire anytime soon. Our great-great-great-grandfather only did what, fifteen years ago?"
"Sounds about right, I remember going to the party."
"But yeah, I have a feeling he'll start bugging me about it in seventy years or so."
"Are you interested?"
"Yeah. It's not what I want now, but I can see myself doing it later."
"Well, as long as it's what you want."
"Do you really see father forcing us into anything?"
"No, not really."
"Exactly. Now, I'm going to rest a bit more," and with that he stretched out on the floor and closed his eyes.
Jackson chuckled and then went to join Katherine stretched out on the couch.
Prompt: Good Jackson (by Penguingirl)
Word Count: 14670
Notes: Part Two
Day Two
After breakfast, Jeff went off for a walk. He said he needed some meditation time. Katherine planned to stay around the house and just enjoy doing as little as possible. Jackson, as he promised, drove Tristan to the small hardware store near the lake and bought everything they needed to make a birdhouse. Pre-cut of course, but still it was something he and Tristan could do together. Once they were back at the cabin, Jackson laid out everything, explained to what each piece was and how it fit together. Tristan watched everything with the serious air of a child determined to master a new skill on the first try. Jackson smiled, and then guided the young boy in the work. He hammered the first few nails himself, and then turned to his son.
"Tristan are you ready now?"
"Really, Mr. Jackson? I can do it?"
"I think so, if you feel you're ready."
"I'm ready!"
"Okay," he handed off the hammer, and set the nail in place. "Now, hold the nail, and I'll hold the wood."
He nodded and took the nail with his small supple fingers.
"That's right, now, get a good grip on the hammer. Slide your hand up a little make sure you can make it hit the nail and not your hand. That's it. Now hammer the nail once, and be ready to move your fingers before they get smushed."
"Got it Mr. Jackson."
Tristan brought the hammer down toward the nail, but it slipped and banged Jackson on the thumb. The intense pain doubled him over and expletives flew from his mouth before he could bite them back. He jammed his thumb into his mouth to suck away the pain and noticed that Tristan had dropped the hammer and stood frozen wathching him.
"Damn," he said around his thumb, then pulled it out and bent down in front of the terrified child. "Tristan, listen to me. You didn't do anything wrong. I'm not mad at you?"
"You're not?" it was obvious he didn't quite believe what he was hearing.
"I'm not. It just hurt a lot, and I said a lot of things I shouldn't have. I scared you, and I'm sorry about that. Forgive me?"
"Huh?"
"Forgive me?"
"I, you want *me* to forgive *you*?"
"Please, I think it would make us both feel a lot better."
"Okay. I, forgive you."
"Think we could have a hug now?"
Tristan's face lit up and he threw his arms around Jackson clinging to him tightly. Jackson embraced his son, and didn't even bother holding back the tears. After a few minutes though he whispered into the boy's ear. "You're really strong. Want to go with me and get some lemonade before we finish?"
"Sure! Mom makes some really good lemonade!"
"I know she does! Wanna race?"
Tristan didn't even answer he just sped off toward the cabin. "Can't catch me, Dad!"
Jackson grinned and then ran to catch up.
Back at the cabin, Jackson sipped at some lemonade, and iced his thumb. Katherine listened as Tristan gushed about the day so far.
"And, Mom, Dad asked me to forgive him. It was weird, but oh, Dad, I am sorry I missed."
"It's all right, son."
"But yeah, we came up here to get some lemonade, and we raced, and I beat him."
"You get faster everyday, Tristan," Katherine assured him as she smiled between the two of them.
"And I'm going to paint it blue after we're done. It'll be the best birdhouse ever!"
"Of course it will. Tristan if you're done with your lemonade, put your glass in the kitchen sink."
"Yes, ma'am!" and he rushed into the house.
Katherine watched him until he disappeared and then turned to Jackson. "Dad now, huh?"
"I suppose so. If you don't think it's appropriate, we can talk to him about it."
"Why would it be inappropriate? You're being the dad he needs and wants. It makes sense to me."
"Well, as long as you're all right with it. Thanks for the ice."
"Not a problem. Are you going to be able to finish?"
"Yeah, he didn't break anything. We should be able to get it done before lunch. Is Jeff back from his walk?"
"Not yet. I wouldn't expect him before lunch, unless something unusual happens."
"Did you want to join us?"
"Not this time. I thought I might borrow a page or two from Tristan's sketch book and make some memories."
"I'm sure he won't mind."
"Who won't mind?" Tristan asked as he came back out on the porch the door slamming behind him.
"You won't mind letting your mother borrow your sketchbook to make some drawings, would you?"
"Oh no, that's fine! Just sharpen the charcoals when you're done! Are you ready, Dad?"
"Whenever you are, Tristan." He turned to Katherine and held out his glass. "Do you mind, dear?"
"Uh, no, no, I don't mind at all. You two, have fun." She took the glass and watched them head back to work.
It was almost noon when Tristan put the finishing touches of the first coat of paint on the finished birdhouse. He glanced up at Jackson his eyes hopeful.
"Not bad at all. You're very good with paint."
"Better than with hammers."
"You're learning. I'm sure if you practice, you'll get the hang of it."
"Maybe Uncle Zane will help me. Do you think he'd let me put a work bench in my studio? Or would that be asking too much?"
Jackson felt his stomach clench. Tristan's idea made perfect sense, and he had no doubt that Zane would go along with it. The very idea, though, that he should have to go to his uncle to have a studio, or a work bench ate at him.
"Is it, Dad? Is it too much?"
"I'm sure Zane would say it isn't, but maybe you should ask Aunt Cassie first?"
"Okay. Dad, I'm hungry is it lunch time yet?"
Jackson smiled, and tried to push away everything but the present out of his mind. Toussling Tristan's hair, he looked into his son's eyes, "I'd say by the time we put everything away, and you wash your hands, thouroughly, lunch should be ready."
"Okay! Where are we going to put all this stuff?"
"Well for now let's put it in the storage shed. We'll figure out a better place before we leave."
Tristan bobbed his head and then started collecting everything and they headed back up to the cabin.
By the time they were done, Jeff had made it back as well, and after a light lunch, Tristan went out to sketch while the grown-ups talked. Once they were comfortable, Jackson started things off.
"How did things go on your walk, Jeff."
"Well, I feel better, more in tune. I got a strong sense that we should search the cabin. Not what we should search for, just that we should search it. In fact, 'Seek and find' wouldn't let go of me for the last hour or so."
"Well, I'm up for that. Katherine?"
"I'm game, although if we don't know what it is, how will we know when we've found it."
"No clue, sis," Jeff answered, "I guess we'll just have to have faith that he'll let us know when we need to know."
She nodded. "Then why don't we get started, gentleman?"
They all got up, and starting with the family room began looking, searching for something that might explain why they were there. It felt like searching for a needle in a haystack, except you didn't know for sure that it was needle.
Jackson went to the bookshelf, pulling out the books one at a time, searching through them. Idly he wondered if his alternate had bought the books with the house, or just paid someone to bring a bunch of books and put them on the shelves. The subject matter was quite diverse, but there didn't seem to be any first or leather bound editions, so he had a feeling the books came with the house. He found himself shaking them to see if any papers flew out, nothing.
After the family room, they moved to the kitchen, and then both the bedrooms, finally they searched both bathrooms. They'd found some old jewelry, comic books that might be worth something had they been in good condition, and a bundle of old lottery tickets, but nothing that helped them. Tristan had come in and was now watching a movie in the family room.
The three adults rested in the hallway trying to figure out what to do. They were pretty quiet. Katherine had slid her hand into Jackson's at some point. He was trying to focus on the problem, but the feel and smell of her skin was distracting him. He was a little surprised that the other two couldn't hear his heart pounding.
"Wait, Jeff, what was that verse you kept thinking of earlier?"
"Seek and find,"
"Knock and it will open!"
"Huh?"
Jackson didn't take time to explain, he stood up and moved quickly to the storage shed. The others followed on his heels.
"I didn't really stop to think about it earlier, but when Tristan and I put away the tools before lunch, I noticed that the inside of the shed was noticably smaller than the outside. I just chalked it up to insulation or something similar, but what if it's not?" Once inside the shed he began to knock on the inside walls.
"Jax, it's not like this is some gothic haunted house."
"I know, Jeff, but it's right, I can feel it."
Katherine didn't say a word, she just went to another wall and began to knock. Jeff chuckled before he joined in on a third.
Jackson was just about to give up and apologize for wasting their time, when he heard the hollow echo he was listening for. Feeling the boards carefully with his fingers, he discovered the small almost hidden lever. Pushing on it, the wall popped open, and inside he found what looked like a contract. He pulled it out, and dusted it off.
"I think I found it."
Jeff and Katherine turned around and moved to see what it was. Jackson started looking it over as well. The words hit, target, alibi, and payment seemed to jump off the page. Had Jackson contracted a professional killer? He sat down and read it more carefully.
"Damn."
"What?"
"Jeff, this is for you."
"What do you mean."
"I mean HE hired someone to kill you."
"No. You must be reading it wrong."
"I wish I was," he handed the contract over to Jeff.
He watched his brother read, and felt Katherine slip beside him and slide an arm around his waist. He wrapped his arm around hers instinctively. He saw the blood drain from Jeff's face and wished that somehow he could rewrite this scene.
"Today's the 15th, right?" Jeff asked.
Katherine nodded.
"The hit is scheduled for tomorrrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yeah, and there are explicit instructions to kill as many people around as possible to make it look like a mass shooting."
Jackson pulled Katherine closer.
"Alright then, I'll leave tonight. If they find me it's going to be someplace without witnesses.'
"Bullshit."
"Jax?"
"Jeff, you are not going to leave here. You're my brother, I'm not going to just stand by and let someone kill you. They've probably been watching you for months, so they should know that you're here. Our advantage lies in the fact that we know they're out there, and what they're planning. We can make our own ambush now."
"What about Tristan?"
"Katherine,"
"No, I can't leave you! I won't!"
Jackson hesitated, he didn't want to force the issue, but he had to keep his son safe. Then he had an idea.
"All right, Katherine, this is what we're going to do. I'm going to take Tristan up to the Arrowhead cabin. It won't take more than half an hour. He'll be safe there, I'll make sure no one sees him. We'll leave a mobile with him. If he doesn't hear from us by 8 pm tomorrow night, he's to call 911."
She nodded. "I'll go get him ready."
He nodded and let her go. Then he turned to Jeff.
"We don't have a lot of time, you need to call Zane and tell him to come up tonight if at all possible. I assume the rifles and shotguns are still at the cabin?"
"They were last time I checked, yeah."
"Good, I'll collect them when I drop off Tristan. I want you and Katherine to find good defensive positions and map out a plan. Did the contract specify a time for the hit?" Jackson figured that his alternate would make damn certain of an ironclad alibi.
Jackson studied the paper again. "Fifteen hundred, three pm."
"Good, that gives us plenty of time to work this out. Jeff, this is why I'm here. This is why we were sent to the cabin, to turn this around. If I have my say, Dad isn't going to come collect any of us for a very long time."
Jeff nodded and then grabbed Jackson in a tight embrace. "I always wondered what it would be like to have an older brother that actually gave a damn."
"You might change your mind later, I can be pretty bossy at times."
"Ahh so there is something you have in common with him."
"Oh shut up. Let's get busy."
"I'll call Zane as soon as you leave."
Jackson nodded, held out his hand for the contract. "We have to leave this with Tristan. If things do go wrong, he'll need evidence."
Jeff nodded and handed it over. "Let's pray it doesn't come to that."
"Amen."
The two of them headed back inside. Tristan was standing there with his suitcase in hand pale as lab rat. Jackson bent down in front of him.
"Tristan, I know you're scared, but your mother and I are going to do everything we can to protect you. And no matter what happens your grandfather will make sure you're safe." Jackson wasn't sure where that surity had come from, just that he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that his own father would see to it that Tristan would be alive on Monday.
Tristan nodded and squeezed his father in a hug that strongly resembled a death grip. Jackson squeezed him tightly too, and then whispered. "Say goodbye to your mother."
Tristan ran to Katherine's side and they clung to each other for a few minutes before Katherine kissed his forehead. "Be a good boy. Mommy loves you very much."
"I know, Mommy. I love you too. You'll be so proud of me; I'll be so brave."
"I know you will, and Mommy is always proud of you." There was another tight hug, and then Katherine let go and straightened his hair. "Go with Daddy now. Be brave."
He nodded, and then turned to his father savagely wiping the tears from his cheeks. Jackson offered him his hand. Together they made their way to the mini-van. Once inside, Jackson turned to his son. "You asked me yesterday if I could teach you how to become invisible."
"Yes, and you said I was too young."
"Normally, you would be. But in order to keep you safe, I'm going to show you how. But you have to promise me that you won't use it to hide from your mother. You won't use it to get out of class, or to prank people. You'll only use it if you're in serious trouble. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Dad. I promise."
"Okay."
So as they drove, Jackson carefully began to explain what he needed to do. It wasn't an easy ability to use, and even harder to explain to a ten-year-old. He had to stop and explain certain steps several times before Tristan grasped the concept. However, by the time they reached the family cabin Jackson felt that the boy was ready to try.
They both went into the cottage and set Tristan up in his normal bedroom.
"Now you need to keep the main lights off, but you can use your flashlight. Don't eat all the food tonight, remember you'll need to eat tomorrow too."
"You'll come get me when it's over?"
"If I can, yes, but you know what to do if I can't right?"
"Call 911 and tell them what happened."
"Make sure they know you're alone, and that it's not a prank."
"Okay. Can I call grandma after that?"
"That's a good idea. Now why don't you see if you can make yourself invisible?"
He nodded and closed his eyes as he concentrated. His hands slowly faded from view.
"Yes, that's right. Keep going."
He squeezed his eyes tighter and his arms disappeared next. His torso and head followed soon after, and eventually Jackson couldn't see anything of his son. "Very good. Now I'm going to do something that might seem scarry or strange to you, but it's nothing to be scared of. The bad guys might have seen us leaving, and I don't want them knowing that you're hiding here. So I'm going to make an image of you. It's not real, but it will look and act real to anyone not close enough to touch it."
"Neat!"
His son's voice coming from seemingly nowhere caused a shiver to go up his spine. It was his turn to focus now though. He concentrated on his Tristan replica. He painstakingly shaped the image in his mind. If he messed this up, all this might be for nothing. When he was ready he projected the image into the space beside him.
"Wow, Dad, that is awesome!"
"I'm glad you like it, but no, I'm not going to teach you that one right now. You're going to have enough to do with staying invisible, and staying out of trouble."
"I'll be good, Dad."
"I know you will."
"Dad?"
"Yes, Tristan?"
"HE's going to go to jail for this isn't he?"
"I hope so, Tristan."
"If he does, maybe you could stay with us."
"I don't think it works that way, Tristan. Besides, I have another Tristan back home, that would miss me a great deal if I didn't come back."
"Oh, well bring him too, I wouldn't mind a twin!"
"Don't you think it would be a bit complicated if there were two of you Mom, and Grandma, and Great-Aunt Miny, and all the rest?"
"Maybe."
"And if I stayed, they might decide to throw me in prison instead of HIM, that wouldn't be good would it?"
"No, that would be awful! I'm just going to miss you."
"I'm going to miss you too. I'll think about you every day."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"You better get back." He said reluctantly.
"Give me a hug? I'd give you one, but I'd probably just grab air."
He laughed at that and Jackson felt invisible arms grip around his stomach and he brought him closer and hugged him tightly.
"Make me proud little man."
"I will, Dad."
"I know."
Jackson pulled away from the cabin, his image of Tristan safely buckled in the car, and camoflaged weapons and ammo carefully stowed. He drove back trying to think about plans for tomorrow, not the doubts that were plaguing him about leaving his son alone.
"Just keep him safe, father. He's in your hands now."
He arrived at the house and brought his image of Tristan in with him. Katherine jumped up when she saw them enter the front door, crossed to them and tried to embrace the image. She gasped when her arms passed right through him. He grabbed her hands to try to calm her.
"It was just a projection, Kath. He's safe and sound at the cabin like we discussed. I just didn't want anyone watching us to know he was gone. I'm hoping they can't see or hear inside the house, but I have to be prepared in case they can."
"Well, there aren't any cameras or bugging devices that I could detect." Jeff offered from the couch.
"Dad taught you that trick as well?"
"It's a pretty useful one."
"What trick?"
"He taught us how to detect electronic devices. Like Jeff said, it's useful. But I can't take the chance that they're watching us through the windows with binoculars, or something similar. Jeff, were you able to get ahold of Zane?"
"Yeah. He thinks we're crazy not to call 911 right away, but he also is on his way now. Cassie's with him."
"I thought she might be, so I brought a rifle for her too. When will they be here?"
"About 3 am."
"Sounds good. Have the two of you eaten?"
Katherine shook her head, "No, we were waiting for you."
"It's my turn to cook isn't it?"
"See, Katherine, I told you he'd remember." Jeff quipped.
"I'm still getting over the idea that he can cook at all."
"I never said I was any good, just that I was willing to do my share. My share happens to be frozen pizza and salad. I'll get it started and you two can catch me up on what you've come up with so far."
Dinner was spent discussing their plans, and ironing out details. They made sure to look as if they were interacting with "Tristan" occassionally, and tucked him into bed shortly after dinner. Jackson dismissed the image after they turned out the lights.
Katherine turned to Jackson as they left the room, "Why don't you go help Jeff with the dishes? I need a little time to myself."
Jackson nodded and kissed her forehead before he went out into the kitchen. There wasn't much said as the brothers cleaned up. They both seemed lost in their own thoughts.
"That's the last of it," Jeff said as he put the broom and dust pan away. "I think I'll sit down with my scriptures for a while."
Jackson just nodded and hung the damp dish towel on the rack to dry. They knew what they were going to do tomorrow. Overthinking it, would be more harm than help. Right now the hot tub seemed like a very good idea.
He went to the bedroom, and saw that Katherine wasn't there. He opened the door to the balcony. It wasn't a very high balcony. There was probably three feet clearance from the bottom of the floor to the ground. It was more like a large raised porch, with chairs, a built in grill, and hot tub. Katherine was sitting in the tub already.
"We must have had the same idea. I'll let you be."
"No, I was hoping you might come out here. Join me?"
"Let me change." He moved back inside and changed into the swim trunks they'd packed. They were a bit more form fitting than he'd anticipated, but he didn't have any other options. He made his way back outside.
She smiled as he climbed into the water next to her, but it was followed by a long sigh.
"Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"
"Promise me we'll see Tristan tomorrow night?"
"I promise I'll do everything I can to see that happens."
She nodded and leaned against him. "He's so young. I hate to think about him up there alone."
"He'll be all right. He's probably almost as safe there as if he were in Takemizu with Mom."
"I'm just scared."
"So am I. We just have to trust that we're in the Father's hands no matter what happens."
"Yeah. Hold me?"
He took her in his arms and rocked her gently. Trying not to think of the last time they'd been in a hot tub. She leaned further into his embrace and rubbed his arms. He felt her relax against him, and breathing deeply. He gently pressed a kiss on the top of her head.
She shifted then turning to face him. Jackson grimmaced, afraid he'd gone too far, when she leaned in and kissed him. It wasn't a tender, thank you kiss like they had been giving off and on throughout the day. It was a hard, firm, I want you kiss, and he couldn't help but return it in kind.
He pulled back and looked deep into her eyes. "Are we going there?"
"Please? I've waited forever."
He nodded and then kissed her again holding nothing back.
A couple hours later, wearing a robe, he slipped out of the bedroom into the family room. He saw Jeff sitting on the couch by the fire. He hadn't expected it, but he was very glad to see him.
"Jeff, could we talk?"
Jeff looked up, put down his scriptures and motioned for Jackson to take a seat. Once he was on the couch he buried his head in his hands.
"Jeff, did I mess up? Did I just do the one thing I swore I would never do? At the time, I didn't have any doubts. I was making love to my wife. Now, I don't know. I still see her as my wife, I'm not feeling any conviction that we did anything wrong, but it's I'm drowning in a tidal wave of guilt. I can't get a handle on it."
"Jax, it's not like there's a precedent I can point to, as to whether this is right or wrong. But you say you aren't feeling conviction, just guilt?"
"Yeah. Am I just rationalizing this? I'm so confused."
"Possibly, but guilt, condemnation, confusion are the enemies tools, not the Father's. If there were conviction, what would you do?"
"Repent. Stay as far away from Katherine from now on as I can. Do whatever I could not to repeat this."
"All right, then let's pray. Let's ask the Father to reveal to you if this is a sin or not. Ask his forgiveness, and ask for his peace. He promised if we ask for these things he'll give them freely. Let's ask."
"Lead me, Jeff, I don't know where I am."
Jeff reached over and squeezed his brother's hand.
"Father, creator of the omniverse, and all that is within it, we come to you tonight in humble supplication. My brother is feeling lost in the dark, unsure of himself. He begs that you reveal to him any sin that he might have committed. He seeks your forgiveness for anything he has done against you. He seeks your peace and grace. Father, banish the confusion and doubt that besets him. Grant him mercy, love, and clarity in all things. In the Son's name, Amen."
"Amen."
Jackson was just about to look up when a wave of serenity hit him. He took a deep breath, and then heard a voice.
Jackson, there is no sin in loving your wife. The time comes when you will be torn assunder, but trust in me, for at the right time nothing will be divided.
Jackson looked at his brother who nodded.
"I've never, Dad said we'd know when it happened, but I never expected."
Jeff nodded again. "I guess you have your answer."
"Yeah."
"That last part I didn't quite follow. I do hope he was being symbolic and not literal."
"So do I, but that's why we have to trust him, I guess. Are you going to stay here any longer? You probably should get some sleep, before Zane shows up."
"I'll be going shortly. But what about you?"
"I'm going back to bed with my wife."
It was shortly after three when the sound of a car approaching woke him. He gently shook Katherine, got out of bed and pulled his pajama's on.
"There's a rifle beside the nightstand, stay in here and watch the balcony until I call you."
She nodded as she was pulling on a gown. Jackson leaned over and kissed her cheek, picked up his own rifle, then walked out into the living room.
Jeff was sitting under the window with the shotgun at hand. Jackson moved to another window watching away from the driveway, in case someone tried to sneak up on them.
"It sounds like Zane's car." Jeff whispered.
"It does?"
"Not his old car, the new sedan he and Cassie got."
"Oh that's right, it took a while because they were looking for a black car with blue interior."
"Right."
"Tell me if anything looks suspicious when he gets out."
Jackson heard the car pull up and two doors open and close. Jeff looked at him.
"It's just the two of them, but they're standing at the car."
"That's strange. Let's get Katherine in here, and she can cover us while we step out on the porch."
Jeff nodded. Jackson called Katherine in, explained what was going on, and then stepped out on the porch with Jeff.
"Hello, Zane. It's good to see you."
"Jackson, give me one good reason why I should trust you."
"What? Zane I told you he can be trusted. I explained it all to you on the phone!" Jeff almost exploded.
"And who's to say that this isn't an elaborate ruse he cooked up to get rid of us? Jackson has always been a consimate liar. I want him to explain to ME why I should trust anything he has to say."
"No, Jeff, it's okay. Zane has the least reason to trust me of anyone, except maybe Katherine. Zane, I don't have a concrete reason to give you. All I have are words, and the hope that you'll give me the chance to prove them. But I would give up my life a thousand times and more for my family, and Zane, you're part of that family. You always have been."
Jackson waited while Zane thought about what was said. He watched as his brother's face muscles didn't so much twitch as undulate back and forth until finally he moved toward the porch.
Jeff tried to step between Jackson and Zane, but Jackson waved him off. This was something that had to be settled.
"I pray to God I'm right. But if I am wrong, living or dead, brother, I will make you regret it for the rest of your miserable existance," he held out his hand.
Jackson took it in a firm grip. "I wouldn't expect any less, brother."
Cassandra and Jeff let out twin sighs of relief.
"Can we get back inside?" Jeff asked. "I'm feeling more than a little exposed out here."
Jackson was about to nod, when Zane jumped in, "If you don't want to feel exposed, wear more than boxers and an undershirt to bed."
Jeff snorted and the four of them went inside to join Katherine.
Once inside Jeff started explaining the strategy to Cassie and Zane.
"In the morning, once everyone's had a chance to get a little sleep, we're going to barricade the hall, and the balcony door. We simply don't have the manpower to cover the bedrooms and the bathrooms. Then Katherine is going to man the kitchen windows. Jackson has the east facing windows, and I've got the ones facing the front of the house."
"What do you want Cassie and I to do?"
"I've got you both down for ammo, food, and first-aid duty."
Cassie nodded, but Zane looked thoughtful.
"I think, perhaps I can help in another way."
"Zane, you don't like guns."
"I didn't say I was going to shoot. But Dad taught me something that I think might be useful."
"Yeah?"
Zane nodded, and looked a little sheepish. Jackson gave what he hoped was an encouraging smile.
"He taught me how to read auras and life forces about eight months ago."
"Wait," Jackson blurted, "He hasn't taught me that, but he did tell me a bit about it. And you can use it as a sort of lie detector can't you? What was all that out there then?"
The sheepish look faded and Zane stood his ground. "If Dad told you that, he probably told you that it's not perfect."
"Well, yeah, if a person is very good at lying, or if he believes the lie."
"Jax, Jackson *is* the consomate liar."
"He hasn't perfected it though, I can still see the signs of his lying if I wait long enough," Zane added.
"Which is why you had me talk? You wanted to wait and see if the signs came through. You still weren't completely convinced though, but enough to risk trusting me."
"I never got a sign that you were lying. So I had to compare what I knew about Jackson to what you and Jeff were telling me. You got your chance because the story didn't feel like something Jackson would come up with."
"No?"
"Nah, Jackson is a lot more subtle. He prefers to keep his lies simple. If he wanted to get us all up here just to stab us in the back, he could just claim to have realized the error of his ways. An echo from an alternate universe, a false death contract, that's just way too elaborate. Too many things to go wrong."
"So you figured anything this crazy just might be true?"
"Something like that. But I brought all this up, because I figured that I could act sort of like a scope. Even though they're acting in the daylight, they'll probably try to sneak up on us. I should be able to spot them even while they're hiding though, and that will give us a decided advantage."
"Sounds good to me. What do you think, Jeff?"
"It's a great idea. He'll still want to move around from time to time, to check out different views. And he can still help Cass out if she needs it."
"That's it then," Zane added. "Now if it's all right, Cass and I haven't had much sleep."
Jackson nodded and handed him the rifle he was carrying. "Go straight down the hall, it's a king size bed."
Once Zane and Cass were out of the room, Jeff sat down on the floor between the couches.
"Why does Dad teach you and Zane all the good stuff?"
"Jealous, Jeff?"
"A little envious, yeah."
"Surely he's taught you something more than the electronics search."
"Yeah, and he says he'll teach me more after I'm done with seminary. You guys got the cool stuff though."
"What did he teach you?"
"The Kiss."
Jackson paled. The kiss Jeff was talking about was a last resort during a reap. When a soul refused to leave the body, the reaper performed the kiss and the soul would automatically separate, and then the escort could begin. It wasn't something most reapers relished. The fact that their Dad thought Jeff might need to know this hinted at something as well.
"He really does see you as his successor, doesn't he."
"Well, it's not like he's going to retire anytime soon. Our great-great-great-grandfather only did what, fifteen years ago?"
"Sounds about right, I remember going to the party."
"But yeah, I have a feeling he'll start bugging me about it in seventy years or so."
"Are you interested?"
"Yeah. It's not what I want now, but I can see myself doing it later."
"Well, as long as it's what you want."
"Do you really see father forcing us into anything?"
"No, not really."
"Exactly. Now, I'm going to rest a bit more," and with that he stretched out on the floor and closed his eyes.
Jackson chuckled and then went to join Katherine stretched out on the couch.